WALNUT COVE, N.C. — Drivers in Stokes County have been without a license plate agency since January. But the state just approved the town of Walnut Cove to operate the agency.
Since January when the state DMV closed the doors to Walnut Cove's license plate agency, the town saw the amount of traffic drive off.
"The license plate agency brings a lot of people to town from the surrounding areas of Stokes County. We have some from Forsyth County, Guilford County as well as Rockingham too,” said Town of Walnut Cove Manager Monty Stevens.
The former agency located on North Main Street was closed following a complaint on Jan. 12.
"The division on Jan. 15 opened applications for a new license plate agency in Stokes County with applications being due this past Feb. 16," said Brian Smith, NCDOT Communications Manager NCDMV.
Determined to bring back the agency town officials applied and the state approved. This week they will SIGN a contract to allow the town to operate the agency.
"It just provides another service for the citizens here in town and again to get people back shopping here in Walnut Cove,” said Brian Smith, NCDOT Communications Manager NCDMV.
The new license plate agency will be located right next to the town office. Officials say more services will be offered to make it a one-stop-shop for visitors.
"Get your license plate or your tag and if you have to pay your power bill or your cable bill you can make a few steps and do that too,” said Stevens.
Town officials expect an opening date sometime in July. Walnut Cove officials will travel to Yadkin County next week to see how the county runs the operation.